Press Release - Legislators Call for Ceasefire in Assault on Gaza

[DeLaney, Jackson]

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Thursday, April 4, 2024                                                                                                                                 jackson...@cga.ct.gov 

  

STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARYAM KHAN JOINED BY FELLOW LEGISLATORS IN CALL FOR IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE IN ASSAULT ON GAZA 

Letter sent to President Joe Biden and the Connecticut Congressional Delegation 

 

State Representative Maryam Khan (D-Hartford) and fellow legislators this week sent a letter to President Joe Biden and the Connecticut Congressional Delegation calling for an “immediate, mutual, and permanent ceasefire in the assault on Gaza,” along with the release of all hostages and detainees in both Gaza and Israel. 

 

“We stand in solidarity with the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities, reaffirming our commitment to their safety, security, and well-being both here and in Connecticut and to their families and friends in Israel and Palestine,” the letter states. 

 

“We are anguished and appalled at the scenes that are unfolding in Gaza,” Rep. Khan said. “We hope that our president and congressional delegation will use their power and leverage to see that this preventable death, destruction, and starvation come to an end.” 

 

Rep. Khan was joined by the following State Senators and Representatives in signing the letter: 

• State Senator John Fonfara – 1st District 

  State Senator Gary Winfield – 10th District 

  State Senator Jan Hochadel – 13th District 

  State Senator Herron Gaston – 23rd District 

  State Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan – 2nd District 

  State Representative Minnie Gonzalez – 3rd District 

  State Representative Bobby Sanchez – 25th District 

  State Representative Brandon Chafee – 33rd District 

  State Representative Christine Palm – 36th District 

  State Representative Keith Denning – 42nd District 

  State Representative Kevin Brown – 56th District 

  State Representative Geraldo Reyes – 75th District 

  State Representative Robyn Porter – 94th District 

  State Representative Antonio Felipe – 130th District 

  State Representative Anne Hughes – 135th District 

  State Representative Travis Simms – 140th District 

  State Representative David Michel – 146th District 

"Leveling Gaza will not achieve the destruction of Hamas" Rep. Michel said. "A ceasefire between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hamas while allowing immediate food, water, and medical supplies, as well as the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian civilian prisoners, will help save countless lives." 

“I’m vehemently against all wars. With that said, it’s not about picking sides. I struggle with watching the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Too many innocent people have died in all wars, and this is one is no exception,” said Rep. Reyes. 

“There is much to do to secure a peace that ensures safety, freedom, justice, and equality for all people in the region,” the letter states, “but the immediate priority must be to stop the mounting death and destruction.” 

 

The letter in full is as follows: 

 

We, the undersigned Connecticut General Assembly members and elected officials of 

Connecticut, value human life, dignity, equality, safety, and peace for all, regardless of race, 

religion, or ethnicity. We stand in solidarity with the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian 

communities, reaffirming our commitment to their safety, security, and well-being both here in 

Connecticut and to their families and friends in Israel and Palestine. It is in this spirit that we join 

with voices of conscience in Connecticut and around the world in recognizing the imperative 

need for an immediate, mutual, and permanent ceasefire in the assault on Gaza. 

 

In the wake of the horrific events of October 7, which connect to a history of conflict, armed 

violence in Israel and Palestine has claimed the lives of innocent civilians, with tens of thousands 

of lives lost, hundreds of thousands of people displaced, and homes, neighborhoods, schools, 

universities, hospitals, churches, and mosques destroyed. Furthermore, absent an immediate 

ceasefire and prompt delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza, hundreds of thousands of 

lives are at imminent risk of death by starvation, dehydration, and disease. All religious sites, 

including the Western Wall (HaKotel HaMa'aravi) and Al Aqsa complex, must be protected 

from encroachment and destruction. 

 

We further urge you to prioritize the safety and well-being of all hostages and detainees in both 

Gaza and Israel, recognizing their right to freedom and unconditional release. We call on you to 

exercise all available diplomatic leverage toward such end. 

 

Israel’s current military solution has proved counterproductive resulting in unnecessary deaths 

and prolonged suffering. There is much to do to secure a peace that ensures safety, freedom, 

justice, and equality for all people in the region. But the immediate priority must be to stop the 

mounting death and destruction. 

 

Rep. Khan represents the 5th District, which includes Hartford, South Windsor, and Windsor. 

 

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Jackson DeLaney (He/Him/His)

Press Aide | House Democrats

 

Work: (860) 240-8372

Cell: (203) 947-6661

 

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